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. 2019 Jan 17;4(2):141-151.
doi: 10.1080/20961790.2018.1500082. eCollection 2019.

The use of wastewater analysis in forensic intelligence: drug consumption comparison between Sydney and different European cities

Anne Bannwarth  1 , Marie Morelato  1 , Lisa Benaglia  2 , Frederic Been  3 , Pierre Esseiva  2 , Olivier Delemont  2 , Claude Roux  1
Affiliations

The use of wastewater analysis in forensic intelligence: drug consumption comparison between Sydney and different European cities

Anne Bannwarth et al. Forensic Sci Res. .

Abstract

Wastewater analysis offers objective and complementary information to illicit drug agencies by monitoring patterns of illicit drug consumption. In this study, wastewater samples from three different wastewater treatment plants in Sydney, Australia were collected in March 2016. Ten targeted drugs were analysed and temporal and geographical analyses were performed to obtain a better understanding of the type and amount of illicit drugs consumed in Sydney in comparison with similar studies conducted around Australia and in Europe. Among the targeted drugs, methamphetamine was consumed the most, followed by cocaine and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA). Weekly patterns were observed where a peak during the weekend was present. The geographical analysis showed differences between the regions targeted. This observation may be related to socio-demographic aspects. The comparison of our study to other data sources from Australia showed a high consumption of methamphetamine in Sydney and Western Australia. The comparison between Sydney and different European cities revealed a difference in consumption, which is in line with traditional market indicators. The information obtained through wastewater analysis provides complementary information regarding illicit drug consumption, the size, and the evolution of the illicit drug market. This, ultimately, will assist authorities in making informed decisions.

Keywords: Forensic sciences; forensic intelligence; illicit drug consumption; wastewater-based epidemiology.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Loads per day per 1 000 inhabitants of the targeted drugs and metabolites detected in the samples collected from WWTP-1, WWTP-2, and WWTP-3. WWTPs: wastewater treatment plants; MDMA: 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine; EDDP: 2-Ethylene-1,5-dimethyl-3,3-diphenylpyrrolidine.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Loads per day per 1 000 inhabitants of all analysed drugs in samples collected during a 2-week period in WWTP-1. Due to the high loads of methamphetamine, it is represented using a secondary axis. WWTPs: wastewater treatment plants; MDMA: 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine; EDDP: 2-Ethylene-1,5-dimethyl-3,3-diphenylpyrrolidine.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Comparison of the consumption of methamphetamine (blue), 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) (green), and cocaine (orange) between the different States in Australia [3] and WWTP-1. ACT: Australian Capital Territory; QLD: Queensland; NSW: New South Wales; NT: Northern Territory; VIC: Victoria; WA: Western Australia; WWTP-1: wastewater treatment plant 1; A: city 1, B: city 2; C: city 3; D: city 4; QLD-C, QLD-D and NT-A: rural cities.
Figure 4.
Figure 4.
Comparison of methamphetamine loads between European cities [5] and WWTP-1.
Figure 5.
Figure 5.
Comparison of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) loads between European cities [5] and WWTP-1.
Figure 6.
Figure 6.
Comparison of benzoylecgonine loads between European cities [5] and WWTP-1.
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